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convulse (v.)
1640s, "to shake or disturb by violent, irregular action" (transitive); 1680s, "to draw or contract spasmodically or involuntarily" (intransitive); from Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere (transitive only) "to pull away, to pull this way and that, wrench," hence "to weaken, overthrow, destroy," from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see con-) + vellere "to pluck, pull violently" (see svelte). Related: Convulsed (1630s); convulsing.
updated on March 20, 2018
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Dictionary entries near convulse
convolute
convoluted
convolution
convolve
convoy
convulse
convulsion
convulsive
cony
coo
cooch